Cyclones, Morris Lead Nation

Courtesy: cyclones.com

Release: 04/08/2014

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AMES, Iowa – A year after Iowa State and Tyrus McGee led the nation in a statistical category for the first time in the 107-year history of men’s hoops, the Cyclones and freshman guard Monté Morris have done it again.

Much of Iowa State’s success this season can be traced back to its ability to play as a team. The 2013-14 Cyclones shared the ball better than any other ISU team and anyone in the nation this season, averaging 18.4 assists per game.

The Cyclones accumulated 663 assists, which also led the nation. That total was the second-most in school history (1987-88, 694).

As a freshman, Morris played beyond his years. The point guard was inserted into the starting lineup prior to the Cyclones’ Feb. 1 home game against Oklahoma and the team went 13-4 down the stretch. Morris finished the season with the nation’s best assist-to-turnover ratio at 4.79. As a starter, he posted a 4.70 ratio.

Morris’ assist-to-turnover ratio wasn’t just the best this season, it was the best ever recorded. The stat dates back to the 2007-08 season. The previous high-water mark of 3.96 was set by Utah State’s Tyler Newbold in 2009.